HR0224LRB103 32035 LAW 60924 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, Therapy animals provide comfort, joy, and a sense 
3of well-being to individuals in hospitals, nursing homes, 
4schools, and other settings; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Therapy animals include dogs, cats, horses, 
6rabbits, birds, and other animals that are specially trained 
7to provide affection, support, and therapeutic benefits to 
8individuals in need; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, There is a growing body of research on therapy 
10animals that demonstrates the wide variety of ways in which 
11they can make a difference in our lives; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, Therapy animals improve mental wellness by 
13decreasing fear, anxiety, loneliness, and isolation; they 
14influence our physical health through lowering perceived 
15levels of pain, shortening recovery times, and even 
16influencing those of us who are ill to have a more positive 
17outlook about their future; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, In addition to making us feel better, therapy 
19animals can also help us learn by providing a source of 
20motivation, stimulation, and focus that has been shown to 
21foster reading abilities, including fluency and comprehension, 
 
 
HR0224- 2 -LRB103 32035 LAW 60924 r

1by giving those in need confidence to explore, socialize, and 
2succeed; and
  
 
3    WHEREAS, Therapy Animal Day is a day to recognize and 
4honor the dedication and hard work of therapy animals, their 
5handlers, and the organizations that support their efforts; 
6and
  
 
7    WHEREAS, Therapy Animal Day is an opportunity to raise 
8awareness about the importance of therapy animals and their 
9positive impact on individuals with physical, emotional, and 
10cognitive disabilities; therefore, be it
  
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
12HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
13we declare April 30, 2023 as Illinois Therapy Animal Day as a 
14way to recognize and honor therapy animal volunteers and their 
15amazing animals; and be it further
  
 
16    RESOLVED, That we encourage all citizens of Illinois to 
17recognize the important contributions of therapy animals and 
18to support the organizations that train and provide these 
19animals to individuals in need.